Today is the 80th birthday of the great Italian soprano Mirella Freni. She wasn’t just one of Pavarotti’s most important singing partners, she was also a lifelong friend of Pavarotti.

Mirella Freni was born on 27 February 1935, in the same year as Pavarotti. She was born in the little Italian town of Modena, just as Pavarotti. Their life turned out so that they became lifelong friends and colleagues on the operatic stage. They also recorded many complete operas together.

We celebrate the 80th birthday of the great Mirella Freni with three operatic duets by Luciano and Mirella together! The three operatic duets are in running order:

Today, on 12th October 2010, would have been Pavarotti’s 75th birthday. It’s sad that he his no longer with us, but it’s no use crying. Let’s remember the good times! Here is Pavarotti at his best, in a happy role from the Donizetti opera L’Elisir d’Amore from the Metropolitan Opera in 1991. Pavarotti sings “Ardir! Ha forse il cielo” together win Enzo Dara. James Levine is conducting. This opera performance is available on Deutsche Grammophon DVD. Enjoy!

Grazie, Luciano! Risposi in pace! Happy 75th birthday, Luciano!

This post was first published 12-10-201o as “Pavarotti’s 75th today!”. Last revision 12-10-2014.